Enhancing Value for Health Care Consumers

Health care value is about raising the bar in our health system to achieve better outcomes at an affordable cost. Health care costs continue to rise, yet quality remains uneven and Georgia's overall health access and outcome indicators are among the nation's poorest. Our health system is undergoing rapid change, yet the complex needs of patients and consumers--and the goals of population health & health equity--are not always at the center of these changes. Georgians for a Healthy Future has identified value for health care consumers as an important emerging consumer health issue. We'll be working in 2016 and 2017 to identify principles and promising policy recommendations to achieve real value for consumers. Learn more about our work on costs, quality, and health system transformation on this page.

Health care costs are on the rise again. Without adequate protections in place to ensure affordability for consumers, costs can become a barrier to access. In addition to premiums, consumers also face out-of-pocket costs including deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. If they go out-of-network, they can even get surprise bills that are beyond their ability to … More >

Health care quality is commonly defined as the right care at the right time in the right setting. While Georgia boasts many providers and health systems that provide superb care, many of the quality and outcome indicators for our state illustrate the need for overall improvement. In addition, forces such as consolidation (both on the hospital … More >

Our health care system is undergoing major change: providers, insurers, and other industry stakeholders are testing and adapting to new payment and delivery models focusing on cost and quality. Yet without strong and informed consumer input, these reforms may not meet the complex needs of patients, consumers, and communities throughout Georgia. Georgians for a Healthy Future has identified health … More >